Signal-horn.



H. H. BOYCE.

SIGNAL HORN.

APPLICATIONJILED JAN. 2. 1915.

1 267 739. Patented May 28,191&

Fee 2- WITNESSES HARRISON HURLBERT BOYCE, OF FOREST HILLS, NEW YORK.

SIGN AIL-HORN Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 28, 1918.

Application filed January 2, 1915. Serial No. 47.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HARRISON HURLBERT Boron, a citizen of the United States, residing at Forest Hills, in the county of Queens and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signal-Horns, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The present invention relates to signaling devices generally such as employed for motor boa-ts, motor vehicles and like purposes, and is more particularly directed to im provements in a signal horn of the so-called flexible diaphragm type, wherein a diaphragm is vibrated by any suitable means to produce an audible signal.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a signal horn of the diaphragm type, which will embody the fewest number of operative parts, thereby producing an article which may be economically manufactured and may be easily installed and maintained.

A further object of my invention is to provide a horn of the type above referred to, which will have incorporated therein operating means adapted to be functioned to produce sounds or tones of varying volumes and of different degrees of duration, the functioning mechanism being of a character which will admit of the operation of the sound producing mechanism beyond the period of actuation of the functioning means.

My invention also comprehends a signal producing device embodying the characteristics heretofore recited, wherein the mechanism is so arranged and the parts so cooperate that the specific means employed for producing the tone or signal may be operated in a predetermined direction irrespective of the movement of the functioning means, this allowing for a relative arrangement of the parts and a construction which will enable one to operate the signal with the utmost ease and facility.

While my invention is adaptable for operation by any suitable means, another of its objects is to provide a hand or manually operated horn or signal, which will overcome the objectionable features of present types of hand operated horns of the well known rack or plunger type, wherein the plunger frequently jams, making it exceedinglydifficult to operate the signal, or rendering it practically useless, my invention embodying a rotatable member capable of rotation in opposite directions, the rotary movement of this member in either direction serving to drive the sound producing mechanism in a predetermined direction to function the signal.

. Other objects and advantages of my invention will become manifest as the description proceeds, among which is the method I employ for resiliently mounting the diaphragm whereby it may be bodily adjusted relatively to the striking or operating mechanism to vary the tone of the signal.

In order to convey a clear idea of the construction and operation of my invention, I have elected to herein show and describe a preferred embodiment thereof showing a hand or manually operated horn or signal, such as is commonly employed for use on motor cars and the like. However, I would have it understood that I do not desire to limit myself to the. particular details of structure shown and described, since it is obvious that other modifications of my device falling Within a range of equivalents of the disclosure may be constructed without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

The particular embodiment of my invention herein illustrated includes improvements applicable to the form of horn described and claimed in my prior application, Serial No. 862,886, filed September 22nd,1914.

I shall now proceed to describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings and then point out with more particularity the essential elements of novelty therein, in the appended claims.

In the drawings,

Figure l is a side elevation partly in section, of the preferred embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line AA of Fig. 1, disclosing the arrangement of the various parts of the striking or operating mechanism, and

Fig. 3 is a detail of the resilient washer, which I employ for rendering possible the bodily adjustment of the diaphragm relatively to the striking mechanism.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, in which like reference characters are employed to indicate similar parts throughout the several views, 7 is employed to desi ate a casing or housing of my improved signal or horn, which may be made in any suitable manner and or any desired configuration. The forward end of this housing or casing 7, it will be noted, is provided with an annular flange 8, embodying a rim 8 within which the flange 9 on the projector or sound amplifier 10 is adapted to be seated and secured to the casing or housing l by means of the screws or bolts 11. The projector or sound amplifier 10 may be of any shape adapted for the purpose, a projector of a conventions type being herein shown.

interposed between the flanges S and 9 and secured in position by means of the screws 11 passing therethrough is a flexible diaphragm l), which may be of any of the well known types used in signaling devices of the character to which this invention is directed. It will be observed that the center of the diaphragm 12 is provided with an apertured reinforcement in the form of a washer 13 which is threaded to receive an anvil or wear piece is: the inwardly directed end thereof being partially rounded for engagement by the teeth of the ratchet wheel 15 embodied in the striking mechanism. These teeth, which may be generally designated by the reference character 16, are of a relatively slight pitch, the peaks thereofbeing rounded and the wheel 15 is of a sutticient size and weight to function as a fly wheel, so that kinetic energy will be stored up thereby and the wheel continue to rotate after the appli cation of driving power thereto has ceased. This ratchet wheel is loosely mounted upon a shaft 17 positioned transversely within the casing or housing '7, the ends of the shatt having bearings in a yoke member 18, which is removably mounted within the casing or housing 7 and carries the entire striking mechanism, so that all the operative parts of my impro ed horn may be withdrawn or removed lfrom the casing with the utmost despatch to facilitate replacements or repairs, it necessary.

From 2, it will be noted that the ratchet wheel 15 is positioned medially of the shaft 1?, so that the periphery thereof is in alinement with the anvil or wear-piece ll: carried by the diaphragm 12. Mounted on the shaft 17 on each side of the ratchet or toothed wheel 15 are the pinions 19, the teeth thereof meshing with the serrations or teeth 20 carried by the tubular member 21 having a hearing within the housing 7 as shown in Fig. 1, and pivotally connected to the yoke 18 by any suitable means s .ch as a screw 22 or the like. The outer extremity of this tubular member is formed with a knurled rim adapted to be grasped by the hand of the user of the device and rotated in a rig ht or iei t direction, the rotation of this member in one direction causing one of the pinions 19 to become effective upon the ratchet wheel and in the rev t (11 rection to renc-Ler the opposite pinion. chectiye. The coupling of the ratchet wheel to the oppositely disposed pinions is etlected by means of the dogs and 25 carried by the ratchet wheel 15 and adapted to be maintained in engagement with the teeth of the resgect-i e pinions under certain predeteim"xd conditions cl operation by the springs and 2'7. it will be observed that th dog 24; and its spring 26 are mounted on one side of the ratchet wheel 15, while the dog and its spring 2? are positioned on the opposite face of the ratchet wheel, each dog being arranged for engagement with the adjacent pinions 19.

Assuming that the tubular member as shown in. Fig. l is operated in a right hand direction, it will be manifest that from the relative positions of the dogs 2% and hat the dog 2i will engage with the adjacent pinion l5) and couple the ratchet wheel 15 thereon, the dog on the opposite side of the ratchet ridin ireely over the teeth of its pinion 19, while the movement of the tubular member in the opposite or left-hand direction will effect the coupling ot' the ratchet 15 to the right-hand pinion by means of the engagementof the dog 25 therewith, in this case the dog moving freely over its adjacent pinion 19. The teeth oi the tubular member being in mesh with the pinions 19, it is apparent that the slightest movement or" the tubular member in either direction will imparta rotary movement to the ratchet wheel 15, the teeth of which on gaging the anvil let will vibrate the diaphragm and produce a signal. The mounting of the pinions 19 and the employment of the dogs 2% and for coupling the ratchet to the pinions to render the signal efiective, enables me to produce a ma ually operated horn or signal, which will produce a sound upon the slightest movement of the tubular or operatin member and wherein a comparatively slight movement of this operatmember will sutiice to give a relatively p; 'Jacted tone or signal by reason of the ratchet bein mounted upon the shaft 11" and stori up kinetic energy in the manner oi a lly wheel as heretofore explained.

In order that the diaphragm 12 may be adjusted relatively to the striking mechanism, I provide an annular washer or flat metal ring 28 from which are struck up the resilient tongues 29, these tongues being adapted to lie against the inner surface of the diaphragm adjacent to the periphery thereof when the ring or washer 28 is placed in position between the flange 8 and the diaphragm as shown in Fig. 1. In the assemblage or my device, the diaphragm 12 is positioned between a fiber or leather washer 3O lying against the inner face or the projector flange 9 and the ring or washer :28, so that as the screws or bolts 11 are tightened, the resilient tongues 29 will bear against the face of the diaphragm and hold it in effective operative position relatively to the striking mechanism, it being obvious that as the screws 11 are tightened, the projecting tongues 29 will be forced toward the body of the ring or washer 28 against their inherent resiliency and effect a secure mounting of the diaphragm in its functioning position.

Any suitable means for mounting my signaling device or horn, where it is to be used may be employed, such for instance, as the bracket illustrated herein consisting of the angle piece 31 connected by two of thelowermost screws or bolts 11 to the horn as shown in Fig. 2, this angle piece 31 being pivotally or otherwise mounted on a suit able plate or support 32.

It is, of course, understood that the tubular or operating member 21 in lieu of being adapted for manual operation may be arranged for functioning by other means, such other methods of operation of my device be ing within the scope of my invention, which is broadly directed to an operating mechanism and a striking mechanism, the operating mechanism being capable of actuation in two directions to drive the striking mechanism in one direction to function the signal producing means.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new herein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A diaphragm signal horn, having striking mechanism mounted to rotate in one direction only on an axis parallel to the diaphragm of the horn, and manually rotatable means for operating said striking mechanism, said means being capable of rotation in two directions, the movement thereof in either direction efl-ecting the rotation of the striking mechanism in the same direction.

2. In a diaphragm signal horn, the combination with a diaphragm, of striking mech anism mounted to rotate in one direction only on an axis parallel with the diaphragm and manually rotatable means operating on an axis at a right angle to the axis of rotation of said striking mechanism to function said striking mechanism, said means being capable of positive actuation in two directions and acting to rotate said striking mechanism always in the same direction, whereby the movement of said means in either direction will operate said striking mechanism to pulsate said diaphragm.

3. In a signal horn, the combination with a diaphragm, of mechanism for engaging said diaphragm to pulsate the same. said mechanism embodying a ratchet wheel mounted to rotate in one direction on an axis parallel with said diaphragm and means arranged for manual rotation to function said ratchet wheel, said means being capable of controlled actuation in two directions and acting to rotate said ratchet wheel in one direction only whereby the movement thereof in either direction will positively operate said ratchet wheel and produce a signal.

4. In a diaphragm signal horn, the combination with a diphragm, of a rotatable striker arranged to vibrate said diaphragm, a driving member arranged for a direct manual rotation in either direction and operative connections between said driving member and said striker, said connections being such that-rotation of said driving member in either direction acts to positively rotate said striker in the same direction, said striker being capable of independent rotation in said direction whereby it may continue to rotate under the effect of its own inertia after the rotation of said driving member has ceased.

5. In a diaphragm signal horn, the com bination with a diaphragm, of striking mechanism mounted adjacent to said diaphragm for engagement therewith and arranged to rotate in one direction on an axis parallel with said diaphragm, rotatable means ca pable of direct manual actuation in two directions to rotate said striking mechanism in one direction only, said means being mounted to rotate on an axis at a right angle to the axis of rotation of said striking mechanism, whereby the movement of said means in either direction will function said striking mechanism to produce a signal.

6. In a signal horn, the combination with 1 a diaphragm having a wear piece centrally positioned thereon, a ratchet wheel mounted to rotate in one direction on an axis parallel with said diaphragm and adapted to engage said wear piece, a pinion positioned on each side of said ratchet wheel and normally independent thereof, means capable of manual operation in engagement with said pinions, said means being mounted for rotation on an axis at aright angle to the axis of rotation of said ratchet wheel, and a spring pressed dog mounted on each side of said ratchet wheel and adapted to couple said ratchet wheel to the adjacent pinions under certain predetermined conditions, whereby the movement of said manually operated means in any direction will function said ratchet wheel to engage said wear piece and produce a signal.

7. In a signal horn. the combination of 'a housing, a sound projector carried thereby,

a diaphragm interposed between said housing and said projector, a ring of resilient material having a plurality of tongues formed thereon positioned within said housing, whereby said tongues will bear against said diaphragm and maintain the same in operative position.

8. In a signal horn, having a housing, the combination with a diaphragm having an adjustable wear-piece centrally positioned thereon, a ratchet Wheel mounted to rotate in one direction on an axis parallel with said diaphragm and adapted to engage said Wearpiece, a pinion positioned on each side 01": said ratchet wheel and normally independ ent thereof, a tubular member mounted to rotate Within said housing on an axis ata right angle to the axis of rotation of said ratchet Wheel, said tubular member being provided with teeth adapted to mesh with said pinions, whereby the rotation of said tubular member will rotate said pinions, and a spring-pressed dog mounted. on each side of said ratchet Wheel and adapted to conple said ratchet Wheel to one of the adjacent pinions upon the rotation of said tubular member, to produce a signal.

9. In a signal horn, hai'ingr a housing, the

Copies of this pefent may be obtained for five cents combination With a diaphragm, of means for functioning said diaphragm, a tubular member having a portion fitting and mounted to rotate within said housing and having a hand-grip portion and means for coupling said tubular member to said diaphragm HARRISON HURLBERT BOYCE.

Witnesses WM. C. DUNN, P. FRANK Sonnnn.

each, by addressing the flommissioner of Latents,

Washington, E. 

